BCCI may approach Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman for head coach's post

New Delhi

 Life may come to a full circle for Anil Kumble as theSourav Ganguly-led BCCI might ask him to apply for the post of head coach ofthe Indian team along with VVS Laxman once Ravi Shastri finishes his term afterthe T20 World Cup.

Kumble was the coach of the Indian team for a year between 2016-17 when theCricket Advisory Committee headed by Sachin Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly hadappointed him, replacing Shastri.

However, a bitter fall-out with captain Virat Kohli led to Kumble tendering hisresignation after the Champions Trophy final defeat against Pakistan. Alongwith Kumble, the board may also approach Laxman, who has been a mentor of theIPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad for some years now. However, Kumble will befavourite even as Laxman will also remain in contention.

"Anil Kumble's exit needs course correction. The manner in which the CoAsuccumbed to the pressure of Kohli and removed him, wasn't the best exampleset. However, it also depends on whether Kumble or Laxman are ready to applyfor the job," a senior BCCI source privy to development told PTI onconditions of anonymity.

Kohli has already announced that he will quit as T20 captain after the WorldCup. For the BCCI brass, a reputed Indian coach is always the first choice andboth Kumble and Laxman with their stature in Indian cricket with 100 plus Testmatches along with coaching experience fit the bill perfectly. A foreign coachis the second option.

"The criteria for BCCI's coach's job will be such that only a select fewwith very good record as player as well as experience of coaching/mentorshipcan apply for the top job," the source said.

Asked if Vikram Rathour is in contention, the official said,"He can applyif he wishes to but he doesn't have the stature to become a head coach of theIndian cricket team."

"He is at best an assistant coach. However, when we select the new coach,he will have a team all by himself. So let's wait and watch," the sourceconcluded.